Courtesy Winnipeg Free Press:

MARC Trestman is a novice to the CFL coaching fraternity, signed by the deposed Jim Popp to replace him as sidelines boss of the declining Montreal Alouettes, an 8-10 team in the CFL East last season.

So, Mr. Trestman, he was asked Thursday in the eighth and final CFL state-of-the-franchise conference calls: What are your biggest challenges heading into your maiden season with a team you’ve only seen on tape?

“I think we’ve got to improve on our ability to get to the passer and we’ve got to improve on our ability to protect the passer,” Trestman said only days before the Als join the rest of the CFL and launch into full training camp.

“I think we can do both and we’ll work on that as we get started during the week.”

It’s no surprise. Aside from getting himself and some members of his new coaching staff accustomed to the Canadian game — a challenge enough in itself — Trestman is inheriting a club that was dreadful in both categories in 2007. The Als allowed 68 quarterback sacks last season, worst by far in the CFL. And they managed to get to opposition QBs only 36 times, seventh in the eight-team circuit.

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